Better Than Milky Way Bars: Guest Post by That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Hi folks. I have a very special treat for you today. A very special, sugary, oh so yummy treat in fact. The best part is it was made by the talented and delightful Liz from That Skinny Chick Can Bake. I adore her so very much, in fact we have a deal that she is going to adopt me. I'm just waiting for a bedroom to free up then I am packing my bags. Pay no mind to the fact that we're about the same age. She's probably younger than me. I am still moving in though. A deal's a deal. No take backs. 


I am thrilled to have Liz here at the asylum and I hope you all make her feel most welcome. She is a rare gem amongst the foodie community. For those who love food, and love sweets this is your go to gal. She always impresses, she is forever kind and she's my adopted Mama. So say hello and prepare to have your jaw drop!

I'm thrilled to be guest posting at Cravings of a Lunatic today. Kim and I became fast friends via Foodbuzz and I am always thoroughly entertained by her humorous blog posts.  Not to mention that she's one of the warmest most generous souls I've met. I knew I had to make something special to share with her readers...I'm not so funny, but I make a mean cookie bar!

There are certain candies I am required to purchase for Halloween, and Three Musketeers or Milky Ways are a must. We rarely have leftovers after the throng of trick or treaters, but we have to have the favorites on hand just in case.  All 120 full sized candy bars were spoken for by the end of the evening...I think I'll be buying more next year.  But till then, I thought I'd try to make my own Milky Way Bars.  Erin, of Dinners, Dishes and Desserts made her version by dipping individual bars, but I took the easy way out and added a crust to create layered bars.

These got rave reviews from my crew. And I just kept sneaking nibbles...my will power cannot resist caramel.  These gems need to stay in the refrigerator. Just during the time it took to photograph them, the caramel layer started oozing out.  Just more for me to trim off and sample. 

These super rich bars will be a hit with any chocoholic you know. They are just plain irresistible. Thanks, Kim, for the honor to guest post! 

Better Than Milky Way Bars...adapted from recipes from Hugs and Cookies and Dinners, Dishes and Desserts

1 stick (4 ounces) butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup flour

1 12-ounce bag milk chocolate chips

3 tablespoons cream

1 7-ounce jar marshmallow creme

1 14-ounce bag caramels

3 tablespoons cream

1 12-ounce bag milk chocolate chips

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 300º. Line 8 x 8 inch pan with nonstick foil or greased regular foil.

Beat together butter, sugar and vanilla. Add the flour. Press evenly into pan...you may need to flour your fingers to prevent sticking. Prick crust with fork. Bake 35-45 minutes till crust is golden.   Cool.

Melt 12 ounces chocolate chips in microwave, starting and stopping to stir at 30 second intervals till melted and smooth.  Add 3 tablespoons cream and marshmallow creme, and stir till well combined. Pour over cooled crust and

spread with off set spatula.  Cool in fridge while preparing next layer.

Put caramels and 3 tablespoons of cream in microwave. Stop and stir at 30 second intervals till melted and smooth.  Pour over chocolate layer and spread with offset spatula.  Refrigerate for a couple hours.

Melt second bag of chocolate chips as directed above.  Add vegetable oil when melted and pour over caramel layer. Place in refrigerator till firm.

Use foil to remove from pan, peel off foil and cut into bars to serve.

Okay so I am strapping on my apron and heading into the kitchen. These look so decadent. I love Milky Way bars so this is my kind of treat. I just love the layers of ooey gooey-ness. A big Lunatic thank you to Liz for rocking my world today. I am touched and grateful you agreed to guest for me. I would love you all to head over to Liz's blog That Skinny Chick Can Bake and stalk her a little bit. You can also find her on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, PINTEREST, and STUMBLEUPON. Now run over and remember full stalker mode folks, no stealth mode. This lady deserves your full attention. Thanks Liz! Er, Mama Liz! xx

Toodles and smoochies.xx